Printing Control Apparatus Ink Density Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In serial printing, banding issues such as white and black streaks occur in overlapping areas due to ink misalignment, which are exacerbated by high or low color density, and existing methods to reduce these streaks either increase the visibility of the opposite type of streak.
Innovation Solution
A printing control apparatus that generates printing data sets for overlapping areas based on image data, adjusting ink discharge according to color density, with increased ink discharge in high-density areas and reduced discharge in low-density areas, and calculates average color density for each pixel unit to minimize variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the amount of ink to be landed on the POL area is increased to reduce white streaks, then white streak occurrences are reduced, but black streaks become more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different ink discharge correction strategies to different regions within the POL area based on local color density characteristics. High-density areas receive increased ink discharge to prevent white streaks, while low-density areas receive reduced ink discharge to prevent black streaks, thereby resolving the contradiction through spatially differentiated quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the ink discharge amount parameter based on the color density of each pixel unit. By calculating average color density for each pixel unit and using this information to modulate ink discharge, the system adapts the printing parameters to local conditions, preventing both white and black streaks simultaneously
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the amount of ink to be landed on the POL area is decreased to reduce black streaks, then black streak occurrences are reduced, but white streaks become more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements region-specific ink discharge control where low-density areas receive reduced ink discharge to prevent black streaks, while high-density areas maintain or increase ink discharge to prevent white streaks. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction by tailoring the ink discharge strategy to local density requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the ink discharge parameter based on calculated average color density of each pixel unit. By inverting the correction logic for low-density regions (reducing ink discharge) while maintaining standard or increased discharge for high-density regions, the system dynamically adjusts parameters to eliminate both types of streaks
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform ink discharge is applied across the POL area, then printing process is simple, but both white and black streaks occur due to color density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from uniform ink discharge to locally-adapted ink discharge by calculating average color density for each pixel unit and applying region-specific corrections. This maintains relative process simplicity while dramatically improving print quality by addressing streaks through spatially-varying ink discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses calculated average color density values as feedback to adjust ink discharge amounts. By measuring the color density characteristics of each pixel unit and using this information to modulate subsequent ink discharge, the system creates a closed-loop control that prevents streak formation while maintaining process efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A printing control apparatus, which controls printing of a printing area including an overlapping area on which printing is performed through a plurality of scanning operations, includes a printing data generation section that generates sets of printing data each associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of scanning operations in the overlapping area on the basis of an image data targeted for printing. The printing data generation section performs correction in accordance with a color density of the overlapping area in the image data.